http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loca...-days/82942632/

Still another rescue involving "help" (more or less) spelled out as a distress signal. Lots of different angles to this tale.....

I'm beginning to think the loop in the P might have undone many stranded travelers. Maybe the official alert message should just be "HEL" from now on: all straight lines, nothing rounded, easily written with tree limbs.

I can't but help think that a signal mirror would have been even better = far more range and difficult to disregard.

Speaking of signaling SAR aircraft...
How common do you think it is that the pilot can read the International Ground-Air signals, understand Morse code, or understand the significance of three (three signal fires, three signal flashes, etc)?

FM 31-70, appendix B, figure B-1

Yep, the flash from a signal mirror is difficult to disregard, especially when it originates in the middle of nowhere or from a "deserted" island. Still, back on topic, I move that we recognize "HELF" whether on a beach or a canyon floor, as a legitimate emergency signal

Darwin at work. Only those who can spell will survive. Add a dictionary to your critical survival gear....

More details: http://www.cbs5az.com/story/31717964/wom...?autostart=true

Interesting interview from the rescuee (Ann Rodgers) re signalling. The planes flying around didn't see the flashes from her mirror or the signal fire, but they saw her "HELP" sign. Okay, but that makes no sense...

I think the oddest part of the story is getting off the I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix. Some of the intersections in Phoenix could be confusing, but one would realize they weren't in Phoenix anymore long before they reached the White Mountain Reservation.

Glad she is OK, but this certainly illustrates the value of staying with your vehicle.

Is there an image with a better resolution? I can't make out the caption.

Is there a symbol for "drop off some beer"?